Event Information

Please join us on  May 12th at 6:00 PM  at  PHD Dream Hotel Downtown  for an elegant evening dedicated to combating food insecurity and reducing food waste. Together, we will celebrate the extraordinary impact of our mission—rescuing and redistributing surplus food to nourish communities in need.

Gala guests will enjoy gourmet cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, connect with fellow supporters, and take part in an exciting auction.

VIP guests will enjoy an exclusive wine tasting and the opportunity to meet our special celebrity guest, Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Special Guest Marcus Samuelsson

We are honored to welcome Marcus Samuelsson as a special guest at the 2026 Rescuing Leftover Cuisine Gala.

An internationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author, activist, and television personality, Chef Samuelsson is known for his extraordinary culinary talent and his commitment to community, culture, and social impact. He is the visionary behind renowned restaurants including Red Rooster Harlem, Hav & Mar, and Marcus restaurants worldwide. A recipient of eight James Beard Awards, he also served as the guest chef for the Obama Administration’s first State Dinner.

Chef Samuelsson’s passion for bringing people together through food makes him a perfect partner in celebrating RLC’s mission to reduce wasted food and fight food insecurity.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, community, and impact as we celebrate the power of food to create change.

About RLC

Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit reducing food waste and fighting hunger by delivering surplus food to communities in need within hours.

Founded in New York City in 2013 by Robert Lee, who experienced food insecurity as a child, RLC was created to address the gap between widespread hunger and massive food waste. Since expanding throughout the U.S., RLC has rescued  22M+ pounds of food , provided  18M+ meals , and prevented  48M+ pounds of greenhouse gas emissions  by partnering with businesses and mobilizing volunteers across the country. We are grateful for the supporters who make this work possible.

Our Supporters

As a gala sponsor, you help bridge the gap between abundance and hunger. While good food is often thrown away, families and neighbors in our community continue to go without. Your sponsorship enables Rescuing Leftover Cuisine to rescue surplus meals and deliver them with dignity to those who need them most. You're not only providing meals, but you're also providing humanity and the option to choose—a decision everyone deserves to have.

Thank You Gala Committee!

Ashish Contractor (Chair)

Rob DelliBovi

Jeff Coniaris

Jill Greenwald

Carl Marcellino

Justin Poliner